Adding Green Beans for Dog Kibble

If your pup is overweight or if you wish to add more fiber to his diet, adding green beans to his dog kibble is one solution. Green beans are low in calories and will help your pup feel full because of the fiber content. Green beans are inexpensive when compared to specialty dog foods that promote weight loss. Before adding green beans to your dog's kibble or adding any human food, discuss it with your veterinarian.

Step 1

Evaluate your dog's body condition. Place both of your thumbs on his backbone and spread your hands across his rib cage. You should be able to feel his ribs. Look at his profile. If he has an hourglass shape that includes an abdomen tucked behind the rib cage, he is an appropriate weight.

Step 2

Adjust your dog's diet and include an exercise program if he is overweight. Begin feeding your dog twice a day to spread out the food and help keep his metabolism going.

Step 3

Measure your dog's kibble with a measuring cup. Measure out 1/4 cup less than he normally eats for one of the two meals. After a few days, decrease the second meal by another 1/4 cup.

Step 4

Stir in 1/4 cup of the green beans after a few days of adjusting his kibble. Do this for one feeding for a few days until your dog adjusts to the added fiber. The added fiber may cause some gas if too much is introduced at once. After a few days, add a 1/4 cup of green beans to the second feeding.

Step 5

Evaluate your dog's weight again after a few weeks. If he isn't losing weight, cut back on more kibble and replace with an equal amount of green beans.

Items You Will Need

Measuring cup

Kibble

No-salt canned cut green beans

Frozen green beans

Tip

Try frozen green beans as a treat for your dog.

Warnings

Avoid green beans with added salt. The salt is too much for a dog.

Avoid canned whole green beans because they are too hard to measure unless you are willing to cut them.